Abstract: An apparatus includes a suspension system, a bogie frame with the same, and a rail vehicle. The suspension system includes a vehicle body connecting seat, an elastic component, a transverse damper and a vertical damper. The vehicle body connecting seat is positioned above the elastic component and is connected to the elastic component, and the transverse damper and the vertical damper are respectively hinged to the vehicle body connecting seat and are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A method for implementing an overhead rail guided transport system includes the following steps: a vehicle transport system is provided, which includes an upper rail guided transport system, a lower rail guided transport system, a vehicle exchange equipment, and a plurality of vehicles operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport system; respective vehicle utilizing rates in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems are provided; the vehicle exchange equipment is used to interchange the vehicles respectively operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems in order to equilibrate the respective vehicle utilizing rates.

Abstract: A traction/pitching control assembly for attachment to a body portion of a monorail bogie. The monorail bogie is operative for supporting a monorail car over a monorail track that has a running surface and two side surfaces. The assembly comprises a first traction link, a second traction link and a linking member that has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first traction link is attached to the first end portion of the linking member, and the second traction link is attached to the second end portion of the linking member. The assembly further comprises a third traction link and a cross link. The cross link joins the third traction link to the first traction link and the linking member. The first traction link and the second traction link are attached to one of the body portion of the monorail bogie and the monorail car, and the linking member is connected to the other one of the body portion of the monorail bogie and the monorail car.

Abstract: A track-guided vehicle wheel truck facilitates vehicle maintenance and enables reduction in costs. The track vehicle wheel truck includes guide frames arranged along the forward and rearward directions of the vehicle on the inside of the vehicle width direction in the running wheels, and fixed to knuckles; a tie rod arranged on the center side of the forward and rearward directions in the vehicle along the vehicle width direction, and interlock with the guide frames; guide wheel receivers disposed toward the inside of the vehicle width direction from the guide frames on the vehicle end side and the center side relative to an axis of the running wheels; and a steering axle arranged along the vehicle width direction, and are able to turn the running wheels, the knuckles, and the guide frames by installing a kingpin at both ends thereof.

Abstract: A traction/pitching control assembly for attachment to a body portion of a monorail bogie. The monorail bogie is operative for supporting a monorail car over a monorail track that has a running surface and two side surfaces. The traction/pitching control assembly comprises a first traction link, a second traction link and a linking member that has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first traction link is attached to the first end portion of the linking member, and the second traction link is attached to the second end portion of the linking member. The traction/pitching assembly further comprises a third traction link and a cross link. The cross link joins the third traction link to the first traction link and the linking member. The first traction link and the second traction link are attached to one of the body portion of the monorail bogie and the monorail car, and the linking member is connected to the other one of the body portion of the monorail bogie and the monorail car.

Abstract: A mink/fox transportation system (2) for individual transport in connection with the production of mink/fox furs, for example, the transport of upright-standing expansion pelt boards (4), with or without tanned, or tanned and dried pelts, to one or more relevant receiving stations (170, 172), has at least one, preferably a plurality, of self-driven traction units/carriages (10) driven along a predetermined transport path in the form of a track (6) which is formed of track elements (8,8?,8?,8??) that have been assembled together configured to the arrangement of the particular production facility. The traction units/carriages (10) have a housing (12) with an upwardly-facing side (20) in which an opening (14) is formed for receiving a blunt part (18) extending from the foot end (16) of the pelt board, or surrounds a smaller part of the whole of the foot end of a pelt board.

Abstract: A monorail bogie assembly for supporting at least one monorail car over a monorail track that has a running surface and two side surfaces. The monorail bogie assembly comprises a first monorail bogie for supporting a first monorail car. The first monorail bogie comprises at least one load-bearing wheel, two inboard guide wheels and two outboard guide wheels. The monorail bogie assembly further comprises a second monorail bogie for supporting a second monorail car. The second monorail bogie comprises at least one load-bearing wheel and two inboard guide wheels. The monorail bogie assembly further comprises a linking member for interconnecting the first monorail bogie and the second monorail bogie, such that when connected the second monorail bogie is absent any outboard guide wheels.

Abstract: A single rail film dolly and slider includes a substantially V-shaped rail arrangement and a guide arrangement. The V-shaped rail arrangement is adapted to be secured to a tripod. The guide arrangement includes a plurality of wheels, wherein a first portion of the plurality of wheels frictionally engages an interior side of the V-shaped rail arrangement and a second portion of the plurality of wheels frictionally engages an exterior side of the V-shaped rail arrangement. The guide arrangement is adapted to accommodate a camera mounted thereon.

Abstract: A monorail bogie for supporting a monorail car travelling over a monorail track. The monorail bogie comprises a load-bearing wheel having an axis of rotation that is parallel to the running surface. The monorail bogie further comprises an inboard pair of guide wheels and an outboard pair of guide wheels. Each guide wheel of the inboard pair of guide wheels has an axis of rotation and each guide wheel of the outboard pair of guide wheels has an axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the inboard pair of guide wheels and the axes of rotation of the outboard pair of guide wheels are offset in opposite directions in relation to the axis of rotation of the load bearing wheels. The monorail bogie further comprises at least one stabilizing wheel positioned co-axially with each one of the inboard pair of guide wheels.

Abstract: A single rail film dolly and slider includes a substantially V-shaped rail arrangement and a guide arrangement. The V-shaped rail arrangement is adapted to be secured to a tripod. The guide arrangement includes a plurality of wheels, wherein a first portion of the plurality of wheels frictionally engages an interior side of the V-shaped rail arrangement and a second portion of the plurality of wheels frictionally engages an exterior side of the V-shaped rail arrangement. The guide arrangement is adapted to accommodate a camera mounted thereon.

Abstract: A rail system for positioning a toolhead above a workpiece uses a rack cut into one edge of the rail and driven by a pinion gear whose shaft is approximately perpendicular to a workpiece to couple the rail to the toolhead. Multiple rollers placed on the toolhead allow contact between the toolhead and the rail to be effectively continuous despite the cutting away of as much as or more than two-thirds of the rail edge to provide rack teeth. Separating thickness axis containment from transverse with a square rail edge and separate thickness axis and transverse rollers allows the toolhead to follow a rail as the rail flexes over a curved surface with minimal position error. Several variations in rail, bearing, and rack implementation can realize comparable results.

Abstract: At one end in a running direction of a bogie, two guiding wheels are arranged, and at another end in the running direction of the bogie, two stabilizing wheels are arranged. The stabilizing wheels are positioned at a level lower than that of the guiding wheels. The stabilizing wheels function to guide the bogie along the monorail and prevent the bogie from falling off the track. With this arrangement, the total number of guiding wheels and stabilizing wheels can be reduced, and particularly, the number of the guiding wheels can be reduced. Accordingly, the bogie can be manufactured with a low cost. A traction link for connecting the bogie and the car body is arranged on one end of the bogie, and, accordingly the length of the bogie can be shortened.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for adjusting the rollers of the stairlifts carriage (10) to ensure the carriage is firmly located on a stairlift rail (11). The carriage (10) includes rollers (12) engaging one side of the rail as well as rollers (13) located on an apposite side of the rail, such that the rail (11) is located between opposed sets of rollers (12, 13). To achieve adjustment, the rollers (12) on one side of the rail are located on a common member (31), which common member is displaceable toward and away from the rail.

Abstract: A camera track system comprising a track (100), a camera mounted on a movable truck (102) driven by drive means (104), control means (110) for controlling movement of the truck (102) along the track (100), in which commands between the control means (110) and the truck (102) are effected by means of a flexible link (136) contained within the track (100), allowing remote control of the truck (102). The control means (110) may comprise separate controls for the camera, operated by the hands of the operator, and for the truck, operated by the feet of the operator.

Abstract: A personal rapid transit vehicle for movement on a monorail guideway system advantageously limits the vehicle width by requiring the riders to be seated in the vehicle. Furthermore, a suspension system for coupling the vehicle to the guideway provides for a very light, narrow driverless vehicle in which the riders face sideways and are suspended laterally from and seated over the guideway. The suspension system controls lift, slip and roll of the vehicle relative to the guideway and allows a reduction in the guideway cross-sectional area. Moreover, the guideway, rather than the vehicle itself, absorbs all overturning or roll vibration.

Abstract: A track system for roller-equipped carriers to run along a straight and/or curving guide rail, which includes two pairs of opposed parallel plain lanes, a pair of oppositely directed parallel V edges intermediate the two pairs of plain lanes, and narrow lubricating grooves along each V edge. Each carrier has a frame and roller assemblies, each having a pair of ball bearings mounted on a journal, spaced apart from each other and beveled oppositely on their adjacent outer race corners, so that the base areas of V edges engage between the beveled corners, and the top areas of V edges remain free within the space between the outer races in each pair, the outer races mostly rolling on the plain lanes. Each curving rail segment is provided with straight extensions formed on both ends to be connected to straight rail segments.

Abstract: A transportation system including a vehicle support structure (21), a vehicle (22) supported thereon, and elongated semi-rigid fin (44) attached to the vehicle (22) and a plurality of drive assemblies (45) positioned along the support structure (21) to frictionally engage and drive the fin (44). The fin (44) is sufficiently rigid for support of compressive loads, for example, in braking and acceleration, without lateral buckling, and moreover, the fin (44) is sufficiently rigid to assist in steering of the vehicle (22). The fin (44) preferably is not a continuous or endless member, but extends several vehicle lengths in front of the vehicle (22) for steering and most preferably several vehicle lengths behind the vehicle (22) for propulsion and braking. A flexible traction belt (86) optionally can be coupled in tandem with the fin (44) to provide an endless loop propulsion system.

Abstract: A system for moving a work element along a work surface for performing work thereon includes an elongated track of flexible plastic material formed with gear teeth along one edge thereof. A carriage having a drive motor and a drive wheel driven thereby, is moved along the track by the drive wheel engaging the gear teeth. The drive wheel is connected to the drive motor by an eccentric cam mechanism. The work element is carried by the carriage and preferably is a high-pressure fluid cutting device. The track is formed of a flexible plastic material such as a linear high density polyethylene, enabling it to bend and conform to the work surface, and has a second elongated strip of plastic material movably secured to the track and extending longitudinally therealong. A series of magnets are mounted on the track for adhering the track to the work surface. The magnets are attached to the track by fasteners extending through slotted openings in the second strip of the track when conforming to the work surface.

Abstract: A linear motor driven transport system of an improved design is presented. The conventional roller configuration for holding the transport vehicle on the rail track has been replaced with a spring-loaded design so as to maintain the contact between the roller and the rail surface regardless of the curvatures in the routing track. Weighing device of an improved direct-loading design is adopted to improve the ruggedness of the device. Devices for controlling the positioning of the transport vehicle, including the carrier, have been simplified and the number of component pieces reduced to lower the cost of manufacturing the transport system. The container and track configurations have also been modified to enable efficient track set-up and loading/unloading of goods in complex track routing in a limited space.

Abstract: The invention is a monotract conveyor which has a pivotal tray which is selectively lockable to either pivot to either side of a track which the conveyor runs on, or to stay in an upright position. The tray is mounted to an upper portion of the conveyor unit which is mounted to the main body of the unit by a male/female key member connection. This connection enables one end of the upper portion to be lifted from lower portion, while the key members lock the upper and lower portions of the other end together.

Abstract: A conveying system is provided for moving a pallet along straight and curved paths. The conveying system includes a track on which the pallet is mounted for movement by means of a motor driven roller pivotally mounted on the pallet which engages a stationary shaft mounted on the track. Depending on the position of the drive roller in relation to the shaft, the pallet is driven forward, rearward, or remains stationary. The drive roller is resiliently urged into contact with the shaft and is pivotally mounted on the pallet so as to be movable between a forward drive position, a rearward drive position, and a stationary position. A resilient bias urges the drive roller to the forward drive position. A cam mechanism is provided to move the drive roller to the stationary position when desired.

Abstract: A transportation system comprises a continuous stationary track having a pair of opposed rigid bearing surfaces, and a plurality of discrete cantilevered load-carrying vehicle units movable beside said track. Each vehicle is coupled to the track by a bogie having a linear arrangement of bogie wheels running between the bearing surfaces. The bogie wheels are mounted on mutually articulated frames and have a diameter slightly less than the separation of the opposed bearing surfaces to allow limited pivoting movement of the frames within the track. The adjacent articulated frames are forcibly urged to pivot in opposite directions within the track between the bearing surfaces such that bogie wheels carried thereby forcibly and alternately engage the respective opposed bearing surfaces at at least three points to ensure a pro-loaded positive coupling between the bogie and the track.

Abstract: A safety trolley restraint system for easy attachment to the rail of a railroad track crossing a bridge includes a trolley carriage with opposed rollers clampable to the rail so as to hold the trolley on the rail while permitting rolling movement of the trolley on the rail and provides a movable attachment point for the end of a safety line of a personnel safety harness. The carriage includes two halves pivoted together which may be opened to remove the trolley from the rail and closed and locked to secure the trolley to the rail. The trolley restraint attachment point is preferably swingable from side to side with respect to the rail and includes a swiveling mounted attachment eye for the personnel safety line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monorail tramcar type conveyor having a driven carriage connected to a free rolling carriage for traveling along the top of the rail. Both the driven and free carriages have a rectangular frame, from which vertical axis guide rollers are cantilevered so as to engage the sides of the rail. The top portion of the frames have a vertical opening which is surrounded by the frame, and the driven and free rolling wheels which ride on the top of the rail are loosely fitted into these openings on the respective driven and free rolling carriages.

Abstract: A trolley for traveling along a beam supported from below and having two protruding flanges comprising a frame that partially surrounds the beam, a travel wheel mounted so that it contacts and rolls on an upper surface of the lower flange of the beam, a second wheel mounted within the frame for gliding the trolley along one of the upper surface of the lower flange or a lower surface of the upper flange and a guide roller mounted within the frame for guiding the trolley along the beam.

Abstract: A monorail vehicle support system for supporting a vehicle body along a monobeam rail having top and side running surfaces. An attachment frame is secured to opposed ends of the vehicle chassis. A single steerable load carrying wheel is supported in a vertical plane by the attachment frame for support engagement with the top running surface of the rail. A pair of side wheels, having pneumatic tires, are supported spaced-apart in parallel horizontal planes below the carrying wheel and on one side thereof for frictional engagement with one of the side running surfaces of the rail. A load arm secured at one end to an axle of the carrying wheel is provided with an air bag and a levelling system for maintaining the vehicle chassis at a substantially constant level with respect to the beam by compensating for vertical displacement of the pneumatic suspension element (airbag) caused by the load variations.

Abstract: A rail vehicle, particularly a monorail, has several vehicles or cars, each of two adjacent or neighboring ones of which are connected by way of an associated coupling device. Between each two adjacent vehicles or cars there is mounted a bogie with an axle suspension for supporting wheels and guide wheels running on a track. A guide arrangement is provided between the adjacent vehicles or cars. This guide arrangement together with a connecting joint of the coupling device forms a single substantially vertical steering axis. This single substantially vertical steering axis passes in a vertical median longitudinal plane of the vehicles or cars both through the connecting joint and through bogie-side guide rod bearings and through a wheel axle of the supporting wheels, so that, particularly with regard to quiet travel and straight line passage, the dynamics of vehicle travel or movement are improved.

Abstract: A monorail beam is provided with a lower, upwardly-facing support surface, a lower, laterally-facing support surface and an upper, medially-facing support surface (relative to the support beam). Vehicles are hangingly supported, pendulum-like, from davit-like cantilevering arms of support trucks having wheels which run on or act against the base support surfaces so that they run along the side or sides of the beam. The beam may be elevated on columns, surface mounted, or depressed in tunnels. By preference, the vehicles' bodies are detachable from the trucks, and the heaviest air-conditioning components are mounted on the trucks rather than on the bodies. Power transmission and automatic control systems are described, as are switching systems and station facilities.

Abstract: A roller attachment to facilitate precise running of an article along a guide line in automation processes when it is fixed to the article, having an angular frame which is formed by layering punched angular thin members in the longitudinal direction of frame, and which is provided with peripheral recesses including rollers in a way to rotate freely in the longitudinal direction of frame in relation to the frame, the frame being attachable to the article with bolts either through hollow rivets uniting the angular thin members together or through elongated bolt holes in bracket members.

Abstract: Welding carriage, including an articulated body having support wheel sets on its end sections, one of said end sections supporting a drive assembly movable toward and away from a track upon which the carriage travels, the drive assembly including two tandem drive wheels driven by an electric motor supported by the drive assembly. The carriage may support one welding head or plural welding heads, so that one or more weld beads may be formed as the carriage travels past a section of a welding groove.

Abstract: A pipeline monorail comprising a pipeline provided with at least one outwardly extending flange extending the length of the pipeline; two carriages, longitudinally spaced on the pipeline, each carriage having wheels operable to frictionally engage the flange of the pipeline for guidance, the wheels of at least one of the carriages being driven by a power source for propelling the carriages which carry and are connected by a load carrier, preferably including a boom. The boom is adapted to carry pipe sections and is longitudinally moveable relative to the carriages for suspending the pipe sections forwardly of the existing end of the pipeline and is operable to lower or raise the pipe section for attachment to the existing pipeline for construction of the pipeline. Each section so attached is also provided with a flange. Pedestals are used to support the pipeline where required.

Abstract: A transportation system for rapidly loading people from a platform into and from a plurality of cars. The system includes an elongated trackway which extends along a platform. Trolleys extend between the trackway and the cars supporting the cars on the trackway. The cars have side doors extending along the length thereof which open towards the platform to provide access to a single row of seats carried in the vehicles facing the doors. The doors can be automatically opened and closed upon reaching the platform. The trackway includes upper lower and intermediate rails upon which upper, lower and intermediate wheels, carried by the trolleys, engage to provide an interlocking relation therebetween. A vertically extending keel is carried by at least some of the vehicles for engaging power driven wheels that are positioned along the trackway.

Abstract: A novel crane trolley has four guiding pulleys lying on opposed upper and lower guiding surfaces, arranged diagonally to eliminate the need for having eight guiding pulleys. On each side of the trolley are upper and lower guiding pulleys, with the lower in front on one side and the upper in front on the other side. The pulleys may be mounted under spring tension. Two such trolleys may be hinged together to support heavy loads.

Abstract: A tractor assembly for mounting on a track fixed to a workpiece the tractor used to support and guide a metal-working tool along a fixed path, the tractor having three wheels to engage opposite edges of the track, one of said wheels being laterally displaceable to facilitate mounting of the tractor to the track. The invention also includes rest buttons or supports to facilitate alignment and mounting of the tractor and additional roller supports engageable to said track if needed.

Abstract: A rail-transportation system had a longitudinally elongated rail assembly along which extends a longitudinally moving traction element connected to a plurality of longitudinally spaced cars riding on the assembly. The rail assembly consists of upper and lower longitudinally extending rails interconnected by struts and normally formed thereby into a rigid framework or box-beam construction. The car has a car body to one transverse side of the rails, an upper wheel to the other transverse side of the rails and riding on the upper rail, and a lower wheel to the one side of the rails and bearing on the lower rail in a transverse direction opposite that of the upper wheel. The car may have inner and outer frames connected together by a parallelogrammatic linkage connected to a guide rail between the upper and lower rails to maintain a load-carrying platform of the car horizontal even when the various rails are all inclined to the horizontal.

Abstract: In an elevated railway system having a track comprising upper and lower rails extending longitudinally along one side of a beam structure, and passenger cars traveling on the track having doors on their sides adjacent the beam structure, a passenger station comprising an elevator shaft structure, including an elevator car, which extends up from ground level through a gap in the beam structure. A track section with upper and lower rails in continuity with the rails on the beam structure extends alongside the elevator shaft structure at the bottom and top of the door of a car stopped at the station, permitting passenger egress from and ingress to the passenger car and the elevator car between the rails at the station.

Abstract: A bi-modal mechanically trackable vehicle adapted to be rail driven with or without a guide track, the vehicle including at least one non-steerable axle having non-steerable wheels mounted thereon, a plurality of tracking transverse guide rollers are provided for guiding the vehicle along the track. The transverse guide rollers are at least indirectly mounted at the non-steerable axle in an area of the respective wheels so as to be transversely displaceable. The non-steerable axle is mounted on the vehicle so as to be freely pivotable about a vertical axis. An arrangement is provided for automatically selectively locking the at least one non-steerable axle in an exact transverse position for driving without a guide track and for unlocking the at least one non-steerable axle from the exact transverse position.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted to be externally guided mechanically along guide tracks, especially for public local passenger service, which includes a steerable vehicle axle provided with steerable wheels and with maximally bending resistance supporting arms arranged at wheel hubs of the steerable wheels and extending unilaterally forwardly in the driving direction of the vehicle. A transverse guide arrangement is disposed at the forward ends of the supporting arms so as to provide for an automatic track-side influencing of the turning angle of the steerable wheels. A motor is fixedly mounted in a zone of a hub of a steering wheel so as to be capable of operatively acting upon the steering wheel. The motor, when an output part thereof is at a quasi-stand still, is capable of exerting a torque on the steering wheel which torque can be freely selected in its effective direction.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted to be selectively operated with or without guide rails or tracks, the vehicle including a steerable vehicle axle means having steerable wheels mounted thereon and at least one non-steerable vehicle axle having non-steerable wheels mounted thereon. The non-steerable vehicle axle is mounted so as to be pivotable in its entirety about a centrally positioned vertically extending pivot axis. Springs are provided for suspending a superstructure of the vehicle with a spring bracket fixedly mounted to an axle body of the non-steerable vehicle axle for supporting the springs at the vehicle. A ring mount segment is provided for mounting the springs at outer ends of the spring bracket so as to be horizontally movable with at least two supporting rollers, each having an axis of rotation disposed approximately toward a pivot center of the non-steerable axis, being attached to an underside of the springs.

Abstract: A guided vehicle having a body with rubber-tired steerable running wheels mounted on axles. A suspension system for the axles includes transversely extending upper and lower link arms which are parallel with each other and have equal arm lengths. Each of the links or link arms has one end connected with the wheel axle through a joint mechanism for a steering movement and a rotative movement about a longitudinal axis and its other end connected at two longitudinally spaced portions with the vehicle body for rotative movement about a second longitudinal axis. Air springs are disposed between one of the links and the vehicle body for normally maintaining the links substantially horizontally to thereby maintain the associated wheel always vertical.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted to be selectively operated with or without guide rails with the vehicle including a steerable vehicle axle and at least one nonsteerable vehicle axle. The nonsteerable vehicle axle is mounted so as to be entirely pivotable to a limited extent about a centrally positioned vertically extending pivot axis. At least two longitudinally extending control arms are provided for determining a transverse position of the nonsteerable vehicle axle with the longitudinally extending control arms being constructed so as to be variable in length and at least one of selectively lockable in or releasable from a predetermined length required for an exact transverse positioning of the nonsteerable vehicle axle when the vehicle is operated without guide rails. Each of the longitudinally extending control arms includes at least two doubleacting hydraulic cylinder piston units which are disposed in parallel to a bending resistant guide rod slidably received in a guide bore of a guide housing.

Abstract: A bi-mobile mechanically trackable road vehicle which includes a steerable axle having steerable wheels and at least one additional unsteerable axle having unsteerable wheels. Tracking transverse guide rollers are provided in an area of the vehicle axles. The non-steerable axle is mounted in the manner of a turntable so as to be freely pivotable about a vertical axis with an arrangement being provided for automatically selectively rocking the at least one non-steerable axle in an exact transverse position when the vehicle leaves a guide track and for automatically unlocking the non-steerable axle upon an entry of a vehicle onto the guide track. At least one of the transverse guide rollers is mounted so as to be freely transversely displaceable within mechanical preset limits.

Abstract: A guided vehicle including at each end portion of the body a pair of steerable running wheels adapted to run on track surfaces and a pair of guide wheels adapted to run along guide rails provided at the opposite sides of the track surfaces. A steering linkage is provided for connecting the running and guide wheels so that the former is steered in response to a transverse movement of the latter. A friction type restraining device is provided in the linkage so that the steering movement is not produced by a small amount of surface roughness in the guide rail.

Abstract: A motor vehicle adapted to be used on tracks, especially for the public local passenger traffic, with a steerable vehicle axle and with at least one non-steerable vehicle axle and with track-determining cross-guide rollers arranged on both sides of the vehicle which are provided at least within the area of the steerable wheels and are supported near the end points of mounting arms that are relatively fixed; a force-measuring device for determining the cross-guide force is provided in the mounting or bearing support of at least one of the cross-guide rollers of each vehicle wheel while a brake pressure medium valve is adapted to be influenced by the force-measuring device in such a manner that a brake deceleration is automatically initiated when the vehicle exceeds a threshold value of the cross-guide force.

Abstract: Traveling carriage apparatus, adapted to travel along a track disposed about or upon an object, to carry a device such as a welding torch to do work upon the object or upon other apparatus supported thereby. The apparatus is hinged end-to-end, preferably having three hinged-together portions, the angularity at the hinges being adjustable so that the apparatus may travel along a track which is either curved or flat. The apparatus is supported by track-engaging sets of wheels at its opposite ends. A retractable drive wheel assembly is carried by one of the hinged portions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A spring biased over-center linkage transmits a biasing force to opposite guide wheels in alternate sequence for maintaining a selected one of the guide wheels in contact with one of two parallel guide surfaces, depending upon whether the vehicle is operative in a left or a right follower mode. A steering assembly controls the direction of travel of the vehicle in response to the position of the selected one guide wheel as it follows the contour of the cooperative guide surface. A double-acting reciprocative operator positions the over-center linkage at left and right bias positions for left and right follower mode operation, respectively. A spring provides over-center bias to the over-center linkage and constitutes the sole source of biasing force. The apparatus is suitable for use with a vehicle in an automated transportation system in which the vehicle travels along a predetermined travel path or a guideway.

Abstract: An overhead monorail conveyor whose inverted U-shaped rail has flanges provided with inwardly extending lower marginal portions to provide tracks for the wheels of a vehicle having an inverted U-shaped frame which surrounds a portion of the rail. The wheels are mounted on brackets which extend at a level below the marginal portions of the flanges and thereupon upwardly into the interior of the vehicle frame. The motor which drives the vehicle is mounted in the frame in the interior of the rail, the same as the conductors which supply electrical energy and the toothed rack or racks which mate with several gears driven by the motor. The interior of the rail further confines and shields other sensitive components of the conveyor, such as electric switches, proximity detectors, contacts which slide along bus bars, centering rolls for the frame of the vehicle, and devices for biasing the motor-driven gears against the toothed racks.

Abstract: A slide and sled combination designed for use on the side of a mountain in conjunction with the operation of ski lift, consists of a monorail extending the length of a mountain from the upper end near the top of a ski lift along a path containing curves, banked curves, and straight segments to the bottom of the mountain near the base of the ski lift. The monorail consists of, in cross-section, a tubular segment supported on a web. Sleds comprising shells are supported on and secured to the monorail by two sets of four wheels which engage the tubular segment. Each set of wheels are supported on bulkheads connected to the shell. A braking system controllable by an operator sitting in the shell includes brakes actuated by a lever that are adapted to engage the tubular segment at diametrically opposite points. Stabilizing wheels are provided on at least one of the bulkheads and are adapted to engage the web.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension vehicle carries serially arranged magnet structures which are serially coupled to each other and resiliently mounted for adaptation to an associated rail arrangement.

Abstract: A traffic system in which the cross-guide device in the operating position thereof is arranged immovably in the transverse direction relative to the axle body of the vehicle axle having steerable wheels and is constructed so sturdily itself as also as regards its suspension that the vehicle can be form-lockingly track-guided and/or laterally displaced also without deflection of the steerable wheels by way of the cross-guide device without damage and in an operationally reliable manner; force-measuring devices for determining the lateral forces exerted on the cross-guide device are arranged in the suspension of the cross-guide device while the force- and movement-transmitters are so constructed that the steerable wheels are automatically deflected always so as to maintain a predetermined desired value of the lateral force at the cross-guide device.